This was certainly an interesting week. It went nothing like I had expected, but I did learn a lot from it. It all started Monday evening as I was leaving for Body Fusion. I had originally planned on going early to get a few miles in before class. Time got away from me, and I ended up leaving about 10 minutes before class started, and about 5 minutes later than I should have. As I was leaving the development, I came across a car parked funny in a driveway. After taking a second look, I realized there was an accident and quickly turned around. I was the first one there and wasn’t sure what to do, but luckily a neighbor, who was an off duty officer came out to help. Within the next half hour paramedics came, got the man out of the car and started to take note of the accident. There wasn’t much I could do, so I headed to the rec to get half of my class in. Turns out it was a drunk driver who admitted he had a problem, but doesn’t remember much of what happened. Makes you think that even on the sidewalk there can be dangers when running. Drive safe and run safe, no matter where you are.

Clearly Monday I wasn’t too focused in class and I definitely didn’t get my full hour in, but I figured I’d make up for it on Tuesday. I headed to the rec for an easy run, but ended up with an off feeling in my stomach and couldn’t keep going. I was disappointed, but hoped I’d feel better for my speed work the following day.

Wednesday I attempted my first speed workout of the cycle and my first speed workout on an indoor track. Because 10 laps equals one mile on our track, I was a little nervous on how it would go, but I just tried to imagine myself on an outdoor track. I started my warm up a little quicker than I had hoped, but was still able to kick it up for the first mile. I recovered with an 800m jog and attempted another mile, this time 10 seconds quicker. I finished up with a very slow mile but was pleasantly surprised when I saw that I had done my complete workout in 39 minutes. I felt great and knew that there would be many more amazing speed workouts ahead for me.

But as quickly as I finished, my stomach started to disagree. I headed home, but luckily felt back to normal by the time I got there. I usually prefer evening runs because my body almost always works with me. But unfortunately this week it didn’t. I’ve been keeping up with my hydration (during the week), and trying to eat healthier. The problem? Eating dinner at 9:30 every night. I’d like to say this doesn’t happen much, but because of my and D’s work schedule, 9:00-9:30 is typical dinner time. Now that I’m on a regular running schedule I need to figure something out so this doesn’t happen every week. Lesson two of the week, eat earlier so my body can run better the next day.

Monday: Body Fusion Class – 5 minutes of lifting/abs/squats & 30 minutes of yoga

Tuesday: 2.5 Miles

Wednesday: 4.5 Miles, 1 mile w/u, 1 mile 8:12, 800m recovery 4:38, 1 mile 8:02, 1 mile c/d

Thursday: Off

Friday: Off

Saturday: 1 mile

Sunday: 3.5 miles

Total Miles: 11.5 miles

The week didn’t get better from there. I pretty much failed as a runner this weekend. I only got 1 mile in on Saturday, but I ran with Darren and it was his choice of how far we’d run since it was an optional day for me. The wind was pretty strong, so I’m not sure I would have felt any better after a couple more miles, but it was nice to get outside and not be bundled up in 48 layers.

I knew Sunday would be weird because we spent the night in Wooster celebrating our anniversary. I was in a funk all day and chose Target and wine tastings over my run when we got back home that morning. I never had the motivation to go running, until around 5:00, post nap and a cup of coffee. The only thing to motivate me? The sunset. I had a glimpse of the sun setting over the houses and decided to head out. And I’m so glad I did! I ventured on the back roads, keeping my eye on traffic and decided to venture off road a bit. I climbed around a fence (possibly trespassing) and up a hill to see the most beautiful view.

I headed back down and headed toward home, knowing I had limited minutes left, I stayed on the sidewalks and ended up with 3.5 beautiful sunset runs. It wasn’t a lot, but I felt great and it was exactly what I needed. It wasn’t a good week, but I did have a few good runs. I’m hoping this week will be better and hopefully no surprises! Lesson three, get my runs done early, because putting them off all day won’t help in the end. Although the views can be pretty magical.

Do you prefer runs at night or in the morning? What are your best tips for indoor speed workouts?

 

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